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Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Duck Stuff: Morning Mud

Morning Mud

• Rob Moseley has a 2011 season review of the offensive line and looks ahead to the spring.

The Ducks need to replace two starters in Darrion Weems and Mark Asper, and because one plays on the left side and one on the right, the easy assumption is that Ryan Clanton and Jake Fisher will slide in with the ones and they won't miss a beat. But you know position coach Steve Greatwood will spend April mixing and matching various groups to get everybody on the same page, and see where they fit the best

While Bryan Bennett has shown that he's most effective running the football, he has a big arm and will only get better as a passer with more first-team reps. And he'll improve going through his progressions with more experience. Because of their run-first offense, Bennett should be able to easily transition into a starting role. The key for him will be his ability to use his surrounding weapons to his advantage, something that he should be ready to do consistently by the time the Ducks open Pac-12 play.

• Patrick Malee thinks DT's sudden departure is a fitting end to an under-appreciated career.

• OregonLive.com reports that one of the early commits received a nice honor yesterday.

Newport senior and Oregon commit Oshay Dunmore has been named to the 2012 Parade All-America High School Football Team as an "all-purpose" player. Dunmore was a first team all-state selection as a defensive back and second-team all-state quarterback in 2011.

• Jared Sawyer @FishDuck.com tries his hand at picking the "way too early preseason top five" list and picks Oregon for the #2 slot.

• Dale Newton says we had one day to feel bad about DT leaving, now it's time to move on to another conference championship drive.

The drive to the 2012 National Championship, or the Rose Bowl or the North Division banner or a win over Arkansas State, starts now. It's starts with pass patterns in the Mo and a group commitment. It starts with positive talk and a healthy attitude, a commitment to getting to class on time and partying smart on Saturday nights, going out in twos and threes and having a safe ride home. It starts with a team that hangs together and articulates one message, develops a belief in one another.